But, hell, what do I know, right? I’m marrying a woman for success and money. Hell, I don’t even know if she has feelings for me. I think she might have some. There are times where I catch her looking at me as if she wants to reveal some deep emotion, but I don’t let her. When she gets that look, I usually fuck her into silence, and she drops it.
Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t turned into a complete heartless SOB. I mean I care for her. We have a history together. Even though it’s made up of disloyalty and back stabbing, I still care for her. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her, so that has to count for something, right?
Anyway, I tuned into the conversation when Tiffany mentions her cousin and best friend are coming tonight to join in the birthday festivities.
“When will she get here?” Marie asked.
“She should be here soon. I can’t wait either. I haven’t seen her in a few years, and I’m dying to have her back finally. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister and one of the only close family I have since my mom past away.”
Damn, her mom passed? I didn’t remember hearing about that. Last time I remember, her and her mom were planning a cruise this summer. I frowned and looked at her.
She looked over at me, “What?”
“Nothing… I’m … I’m just sorry to hear about your mom,” I stumbled out.
She looked at me strangely and, as I looked around the table, so did everyone else.
“Damn, what?” I snapped.
“Nothing, bro,” AB said quickly.
Marc and Marie just smiled. Diane looked at me as if I had shit on my face. Tiffany smiled at me for the first time since I met her six months ago.
“Thanks, Mace.”
“So, um… where has your friend been all this time?” Marc asked her, trying to get the attention off of me.
Thank God.
“Well, she’s been on the east coast for a very long time. She used to live with me in Dallas for a few, but some bad things happened, and she was forced to leave.”
“What do you mean bad things?” AB asked.
She squirmed a little in her seat.
“Well, it’s not my story to tell. But I’ll just say her father is a messed up and mentally twisted individual. His problems trickled down to her, and she had to leave the state. Anyway, she’s been gone for years and has decided to come back. She came for my mom’s funeral and decided it was time to move back to Dallas.
“Oh, that’s cool,” Marie responded.
Dinner was pretty good, and the view of the gulf through the windows was amazing. The weather in May typically is pretty good in Texas; not too hot and not too breezy. You can enjoy the day and night. Tiffany started telling us all the things she had planned for us this weekend. She wanted the guys to be able to enjoy ourselves, so she booked us tee time at the golf course a few miles from here. She rented a fishing boat for us all to enjoy. And when it gets dark, we plan on bar hopping or resort hopping to find some nighttime entertainment.
It’s sounding pretty great, but it’s odd that she had to plan her own birthday celebration. I looked over at AB and shook my head. He knew what I was thinking, but he just stuck up his middle finger at me and topped off the wine in his glass. I smiled; it seems I’m rubbing off on him.
I looked over at Diane. Drinking, of course, makes me horny, so I rubbed her leg and gave her a look that told her I was ready to go. She rolled her eyes but stayed put. See normally this works. But apparently I’m paying for something I’d done or hadn’t done, so I sat back against my chair and stewed. My brother, who knows me ever so well, just chuckled next to me.
I ordered another drink, knowing this was going to be complete torture and wondered if this night could get any worse. When Tiffany screamed at the top of her lungs and jumped up, I realized it probably could.
“Monkey!!!!” she exclaimed and darted behind me.
I looked over at my brother next to me and AB across from me, and we all mouthed, “Monkey.” I laughed and took my drink. Then for some reason, I started to feel funny. I frowned and touched my heart. The hairs on the back of my neck rose slightly. I felt like warm a little bit, and my senses heightened as if I was heading into battle. My brother looked over at me.
“You alright?” he asked.
I closed my eyes and tried to gather myself. I haven’t felt this feeling since…
“Ho-ly shit!” I heard my brother say.
I knew that my night—and my life, for that matter—had officially gone from worse to unbelievably desolate.
When I opened my eyes, I literally thought I was about to fucking pass out. Standing in front of the table was a woman whom I haven’t laid eyes on in years. I stood naturally, since it was ingrained in me to do so when a woman comes to a table to be seated. AB and Marc stood as well, since we all have been raised by my grandfather. We stood staring at the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and the one that had given me the most pleasure in loving in my life.